Teenager charged with murder after father-of-three Rex Court dies following Mount Gambier brawl
UPDATED: A 15-year-old boy has faced court on a single count of murder over the death of a father who was beaten during a violent brawl in Mount Gambier at the weekend.
- ‘Volley of kicks’ during shocking brawl in Mount Gambier
- Separate incident: Murder probe as two bodies found in Millicent house
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has faced court on a single count of murder over the death of a father who was beaten during a violent brawl in Mount Gambier at the weekend.
Lawyers for the Mount Gambier youth, who was arrested last night, asked for the preparation of reports on whether he was a suitable candidate for home detention bail.
Prosecutors told the court they would oppose his release on bail of any form but did not outline any of the details of the incident in court.
The boy’s parents were in the gallery of the court for the brief hearing.
Mount Gambier father Rex Court, 32, died last night following a large fight involving up to 16 people on Commercial St East on Saturday night that shocked witnesses.
Major Crime detectives are continuing to investigate the fight.
Witnesses have spoken of seeing a volley of kicks during the brutal attack, as though the perpetrators were trying to kick a footy from “outside 50”.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve seen kicking before but this was literally run-ups, boots, boots — they were trying to kick them like they were lining up from outside 50 (metres),” one said.
At 9pm on Saturday, Mr Court, his friend Anthony Wilson, 26, and a 22-year-old man were walking down Commercial St East when they became involved in an argument with eight or nine men and as many as seven women on the opposite side of the road.
Police now believe both groups had been attending licensed venues and were passing on opposite sides of the street when the “alcohol-fuelled” argument began.
The three men crossed the road and approached the larger group when a fight broke out.
One man was knocked unconscious, a second man was punched to the head several times and a third was injured trying to break up the fight.
Witnesses reported a black Ford Territory station wagon pulling up during the fight and another group leaving the car before joining the assault.
The group left the area outside a licensed venue, and the car drove away before police and paramedics arrived at the scene.
Mr Court and Mr Wilson were flown to the Flinders Medical Centre with serious head injuries.
Mr Court had been in a critical condition and on life support.
A 22-year-old male, from Bordertown, was also taken to Mount Gambier Hospital for treatment of facial injuries and was in a stable condition.
Officer in Charge of the Limestone Coast, Superintendent Grant Moyle, yesterday said no weapons were used in the assault, which may have lasted less than a minute.
“This is a very serious matter and is being investigated by Mount Gambier CIB and Major Crimes detectives have travelled to Mount Gambier to assist in that investigation,” Supt Moyle said.
“This is obviously a very sad incident to have occurred on Mother’s Day.
“Some mothers will have got some very sad news because of this. It was cowardly to say the least.”
Detectives are reviewing extensive security camera footage of the area and have interviewed a number of witnesses.
The group of people are described as in their late teens to early twenties, tall with medium to stocky builds.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000 and can remain anonymous.
Supt Moyle also appealed for the people in the group to come forward so detectives can piece together what provoked the fight.